Why aren’t Ant and Dec and the Britain’s Got Talent judges at the National Television Awards 2019?

Fans rejoiced with the news that Ant and Dec are back together for the first time in almost a year.

But despite their well-publicised reunion, and their three nominations, the presenting duo will not be at the National Television Awards this evening.

It was confirmed on Monday that they will not be attending the ceremony due to a clash with Britain's Got Talent filming.

This also means that the talent show's judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon will also miss the glitzy event.

Filming begun for the new series last week, with all stars arriving at the London Palladium for the first day of auditions for the talent show before they head to Manchester in early February.

It is the 18th consecutive year that Ant and Dec have been nominated in the TV Presenter category at the NTAs.

Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly, who will be absent from the National Television Awards despite being nominated for the presenting award for an 18th consecutive year (Image: PA)

They’re also up for best talent show (Britain’s Got Talent) and the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway - despite the latter hosted solely by Dec.

This will also be the first time that I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! will not be represented by the Geordie duo - Dec took the reins with Holly Willoughby for the 2018 series, much to fans’ delight.

(Left to right) Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Anthony McPartlin, David Walliams, Declan Donnelly and Simon Cowell at a photo call for Britain's Got Talent at the London Palladium (Image: PA)

The ITV series has won 14 NTAs since it first hit screens in 2002.

The best-loved presenters were pictured back together at the auditions for Britain's Got Talent, marking Ant's return to work after he stepped away from his TV duties following a drink-driving arrest.

They posted a photo to their joint Instagram and Twitter page with the caption: "#BGT 2019. Audition day 1. The boys are back in town!"